24 for John had not yet been thrown into prison.
25 Therefore there arose a discussion on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification.
26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.”
27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.
28 “You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’
29 “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.
30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:22-30.
In this Scripture, John the Baptist shows no irritation nor resentment about Jesus baptizing others, particularly in the same area and particularly in apparent greater numbers. Rather, John the Baptist acknowledged that Jesus was gifted from God, that he (John) was “not the Christ but rather an advance man to prepare Jesus’ way, that he (John) was filled with joy about Jesus’ presence, and that “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Are we as gracious about the prominence and success of others in our field? There certainly is a lesson of humility here to be learned by us.
But, I want to focus the main theme of this devotion on the statement: “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.” This is a good reminder, because we tend to think that we receive things, because we earn them. Most importantly, we tend to think we somehow earn salvation.
We may think that we earn salvation by our works. But, Scripture teaches that salvation is not earned by our works.
“3 For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.
5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,
6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 “BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN,
AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED.
8 “BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.” Romans 4:3-8.
We may even think that we earn salvation by our “free-will” faith. But, Scripture teaches us that salvation is also not earned by our “free-will” faith.
“15 For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”
16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:15-16.
Ephesians 2:8
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;”
2 Peter 1:1
“Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:” (Emphasis added.)
Article 8 of The Canons of Dordt clearly explains that even faith is a gift of God, purchased by Christ for us by his death.
“Article 8. For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation: that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father; that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death; should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing; and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.” (Emphasis added.)
We may even think that we earn our perfection by our efforts through our flesh. But, Scripture teaches us that our perfection is not earned by our efforts through our flesh.
“3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
4 Did you suffer so many things in vain–if indeed it was in vain?
5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” Galatians 3:3-5.
In summary, “For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” 1 Corinthians 4:7
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 